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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
The Isra' and Mi'raj is a momentous occasion that occurred at a very crucial stage in the life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). This uplifting (mi'raj = ascend) experience took place in the year the Prophet lost two of his valuable pillars of support; his uncle Abu Talib (whose political authority and care for the Prophet prevented the Makkans from harming the Prophet) and Khadijah (Prophet's beloved wife, confidante, partner and financier of the nascent Islamic movement). It was after the mi'raj that the Prophet had to leave Makkah, yet that departure marked a turning point for the nascent Muslim community and changed the course of history. There are many practical and spiritual lessons we derive from the Mi'raj; but we focus here primarily on the attitude of hope that it inspires through the life-lessons from the example of the Prophet (pbuh).
Hope is ... anticipation, belief, confidence, aspiration, expectancy, optimism. Hope is the motivational desire that you keep inside of you while waiting for the results or outcome of an event. It is the thoughts that you keep in your mind that anticipate an outcome (positive, good, pleasant, rewarding, relieving, happy outcome) that you want. Hope is obtained with optimism, looking for solutions where others see only problems. Hope is our desire to excel and to achieve, despite the odds.
He was saying this to a group of people who were surrounded by enemies, not sure whether they would live to see the next day; yet he inspired them with his confidence and hopeful attitude with hope of a glorious future, a glory that his people eventually realized.
HIJRAH: The Prophet was avoiding the Quraysh trackers who were bent on killing him, and he and his companion (Abu Bakr) hid in a cave on Mount Thawr outside Makkah. His friend was fearful and the Prophet motivated him by saying (as the Qur'an documents 9:40) do not be aggrieved, Allah is with us.
Am I worthless, O Prophet of Allah? The Prophet responded; You are not worthless in the estimation of Allah.
Julaybib was so frustrated by being ostracized that he once mentioned that he wanted to ask the Prophet permission to fornicate. Those who were present reacted in different ways. Some scoffed at the young man, others pulled him by the skirt of his robe, and still others made as if to strike him. But the compassionate Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, drew him nearer to himself, and reasoned with him (would you like it for your mother/sister...) till Julaybib forsook his wrongful desire and The Prophet (pbuh) concluded the 'spiritual operation' with a supplication.
He put his hand on the chest of the young man and prayed: O God, forgive him, purify his heart and maintain his chastity!
After one of the military expeditions, there was a severe armed retaliation against the Muslims and some Muslims were killed. The Prophet inquired about those who were killed and asked: Have you lost any one? After most people were accounted for, the Prophet said; but I have lost Julaybib! Julaybib was martyred. The Prophet was personally involved in digging Julaybib's grave, picked him up and carried him in his arms and descending with his body into the grave, with his eyes tearing profusely, saying to this person who had no last name, no relatives, no apparent status, no connections, no real name ... You are from me and I am from you.
Taif was the first town outside Makkah that the Prophet went to preach Islam and Taif was the last to accept Islam in his lifetime.
TUFAYL was a well-known poet, member of the well-respected tribe of Daws, he was the chief of that tribe. He embraced Islam and went to convey the message of Islam. Not only did his tribe of Daws not accept Islam, they also increased their indulgence in impropriety.
Tufayl came to the Prophet and lodged the complaint... The people of Daws are overcome by their indulgence in licentiousness and usury; Invoke Allah to destroy them. Tufayl was amazed when he heard what the Prophet say as he lifted his hand skyward to pray... O Allah! Help the people of Daws and guide them to Islam. The Prophet advised Tufayl, ...Return to your people, invite them to the truth and be nice to them.
Tufayl did exactly as the Prophet instructed. Two years before the passing of the Prophet; (after the Battle of Khaybar) the Prophet was in Madinah and Tufayl brought with him 80 families of the Daws Tribe; men women and children ...all had embraced Islam. The Prophet had prayed for a corrupt people and they eventually came to the right path. When he prayed for the people of Daws at the time of Tufayl's complaint, he did not see them merely as bad as they were, he saw the potential of how good they could be.
It was the Prophet's single-minded devotion, his focus on hope and his trust in Allah that brought success to his mission. It was his positive attitude, his inspirational approach and his merciful character that raised people to live according to their highest light.
Stop being stuck at judging people on where they are in life, but rather help them to be the best they could be. The Caliph Abu Bakr said, Four are the signs of goodness: rejoicing at a person's repentance, praying for the guidance of one who has turned his back to the right path, seeking forgiveness for the sinner and helping the doer of good. This implies, be happy that people have turned to the right path, (try to guide and) pray for those who are misguided, seek forgiveness (while advising) those who are on the wrong track, and aid (morally, financially and physically) those who are involved in beneficial acts.
In a world so highly critical of everyone, at a time when cynicism abounds us, we need (more than ever) to give ourselves the benefit of hope and give other people the benefit of the doubt. Instead of looking down upon (ourselves and) others and burying people in hopelessness, inspire them to look up to Allah and elevate themselves.
May the commemoration of the Isra' and Mi'raj inspire us with the spirit of trust in Allah and revive in us the attitude of hope.
From Darkness to Light: The Birth that Rebirths the World
